Edghill owes the Christian community an apology

Oct 26, 2011 Letters

---

 

 

Dear Editor,
It was not surprising to see and hear Mr. Edghill on stage endorsing the PPP/C. Had he not done that, I would have been sorely disappointed. He has finally made his position public. It is not that citizens did not know but he did erase all doubts on the minds of some of us, by saying it himself on the PPP/C platform.
However, he seemed to have outdone himself by deliberately, for political purpose, dragging the name of Jesus the Christ through the political dirt that has now come to characterize these ‘cuss out’ meetings disguised as serious political discourse in the public sphere.
I doubt whether a Muslim would have said a similar thing about the prophet, Muhammad, upon whom be peace. But then again, Christians are known to easily compromise their positions for convenience and comfort. This is one of the main reasons why the Christian religion trails behind Islam.
Since when can a Christian so profanely speak about Jesus the Christ as Edghill did at that political rally? His utterances must have embarrassed every Christian who understands God, the purpose and mission of Jesus the Christ. How sad.
It is one thing to endorse a political party. It is quite another to do so in the framework of religion and in particular the Christian religion. However, two things caught my attention in Mr. Edghill’s utterances.
First, he is reported to have said that, righteousness was unrelated to political choices but rather was tied to a relationship with God. By this very reasoning Christians could have endorsed, Nazi Party in Germany, which carried out the holocaust, or the National Party which indulged in Apartheid in South Africa, because they could make any political choice minus any consideration of righteousness because according to Edghill the two are unrelated. It is the first time I have heard such high nonsense from someone who professes to be a Christian let alone a bishop.
Mr. Edghill is wrong. Righteousness informs the choice of every Christian or person who profess to believe in God. It is consistent with the very nature of God. If Christians serve God then they have to take into account righteousness in what they say and do. It is related to choice.
It was righteousness that informed the teachings, lifestyle and behaviour of Jesus the Christ, when he condemned the political and religious leaders, at that time. He gave himself to no man because his purpose was the salvation of man. He dealt and is dealing with the hearts of men. It was righteousness that led him to be on the side of the poor and oppressed and those who suffered indignity at the hands of the rulers, to cry for justice for the fatherless and widows.
Righteousness informed the choices and decisions of the prophets and patriarchs of old. From Samuel to Malachi spoke about righteousness and admonished the people to make right choices. It is a major theme of the Bible.
Further, the very Bible that Mr. Edghill reads says “Righteousness exalts a nation…” This righteousness is manifested in the choices we, the church, citizens, make including political choices and who we support to govern the affairs of the nation.  Therefore, it is hard to see how we can separate righteousness from political choices.
Second, Mr. Edghill said that Jesus Christ would have voted for the PPP/C. Mr. Edghill can think and say what he wants but this particular statement does raise some questions. It raises questions about ethics. It could be easily concluded that Mr. Edghill, by uttering such a statement was trying to manipulate those, who are of the Christian faith to think
that Jesus would have endorsed the PPP/C because Christians are taught to behave like Jesus. Therefore, if Jesus would have done it you should do it.  Such a statement is wholly unethical and uttered with the full intention to manipulate people. Thank God Christians know better.
Given what we know of the PPP/C, including phantom squad, racial discrimination, marginalization, corruptions, narco-trafficking, No right- minded Christian would really believe that Jesus Christ would vote for it.
If by Edghill’s own admission, there is need for unity and justice then, perhaps, Jesus might have voted for the APNU because it proposes a united front government. However, I would not say that because Jesus the Christ would neither have endorsed or support any party because he was of a different dimension and purpose.
It also, raises the question of gate keeping in the church. What are the approaches used by the church to preserve and protect the integrity of the body.
At the moment, there appears to be gaps otherwise Mr. Edghill, holding the title of Bishop, would never get away with what he has said on that PPP/C platform.
This is a fundamental question because utterances such as the one made by Edghill can affect the value system of the church and undermine public trust in the body.
Looking at Mr. Edghill he seemed to have lost his moral compass. He has ventured into a place of great uncertainty. He is like a man who is in doubt of his calling. Remember this very Edghill was with GGG before he became a PPP/C. It is clear for all to see that Edghill is about his personal interest and development.
I am happy that Christians in this period are not easily fooled or manipulated. Information and knowledge are available to all who seek it. Christians are much more empowered today than they were years ago, It stands to reason that no Bishop speaking on the platform of a political party, which he has publicly endorsed, can objectively and fairly  proclaim the truth about that or other parties even if it were staring him right in the face.
Thank God that Mr. Edghill’s influence does not transcends beyond the few members he has in his congregation. If it were any otherwise the Church would have been in big trouble in this country.
Finally, I believe that the Church should demand an apology from Mr. Edghill for his statement that Jesus Christ would have voted for the PPP/C.
Observing Pastor 

 

---

---